Originating from the Akhal region, the young Ovezmurat led armed raids (alaman) into the Persian provinces of Khorasan and Mazendaran.
After the death of Nurberdy Khan, the chief leader of Akhal, Ovezmurat emerged as a key organizer of the armed resistance against the Russian expeditions of generals Nikolai Lomakin and Mikhail Skobelev.
In 1879, on behalf of the Teke forces, he entered into negotiations with the advancing Russian troops and offered himself as a voluntary hostage.
During his stay at the Russian camp, he studied the military organization, armament and deployment of enemy forces.
The decisive defeat of the Turkmens by General Skobelev's troops marked a major milestone in Russia's conquest of Central Asia.